In a metropolis surrounded by skyscrapers, expressways, and fast urbanisation, Gurugram’s heritage previous is commonly missed. Hidden in quiet village lanes, hilltops and forgotten corners, town’s largely undocumented historical past is more and more in danger.
On World Heritage Day (April 18), the main focus shifts to the pressing want of preserving town’s historic and cultural websites.
A report launched by the Raahgiri Basis on Friday, seen by PR, highlights how Gurugram, regardless of its fast transformation, continues to deal with wealthy however missed heritage websites. The report, compiled over the yr as a part of the Gurugram Heritage Survey by means of subject documentation, archival analysis and web site mapping, paperwork buildings throughout 50 websites, spanning almost twelve centuries—from Mughal-era monuments and early Twentieth-century stepwells to Lodi-era tombs and prehistoric websites within the Aravallis.
Historians warn that the most important danger to those buildings isn’t just neglect, however the lack of correct documentation.
“The tragedy of city heritage in India’s new cities is just not demolition, it’s documentation failure. After we have no idea what we’ve, we can’t defend it. Gurugram is a metropolis that has been comprehensively surveyed for actual property and highway width, however by no means for cultural significance. The websites documented on this report will not be distinctive; they’re consultant. The query is just not whether or not Gurugram has heritage price preserving. The query is whether or not we’ll act earlier than the following decade makes the selection for us,” stated Banani Bhattacharyya, program supervisor – Haryana Heritage Museum Undertaking, Raahgiri Basis.
The report paperwork a number of websites throughout Gurugram, together with the 18th-century Shish Mahal in Farrukhnagar, the Badshapur Baoli, Sohna Fort, and the Mangarbani prehistoric panorama. Whereas a minimum of 10 of those websites are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and visited by individuals, the bulk exist with out formal recognition, making them susceptible to encroachment, neglect and unplanned growth.
“Gurugram’s heritage monuments are important to town’s cultural identification and have to be preserved by means of integration with city growth and heritage-sensitive planning. Public consciousness and neighborhood participation can be vital, as native communities play a key position in safeguarding these websites by means of outreach and academic initiatives. The imaginative and prescient is to make sure that Gurugram’s progress as a worldwide metropolis stays balanced, the place trendy growth coexists harmoniously with its wealthy cultural heritage,” stated Amit Khatri, director & particular secretary, Archaeology & Museums, Haryana.
The report underlines that Gurugram’s heritage is just not confined to monuments alone, however is embedded in on a regular basis areas akin to baolis, havelis, mosques and gateways that live on inside residing neighbourhoods.
“Raahgiri started as a motion to reclaim streets, however streets don’t exist in isolation. They connect with locations, and locations carry reminiscence. After we lose our heritage streetscapes, we lose the very context that provides a metropolis its soul. On World Heritage Day, we’re asking this metropolis to have a look at what it already has, and to decide on to maintain it,” stated Sarika Panda Bhatt, founder trustee, Raahgiri Basis and architect & city planner.
Gurugram’s heritage websites have by no means been systematically mapped or built-in into metropolis planning.
Based on the report, Gurugram has solely a handful of formally protected monuments, at the same time as a number of traditionally vital websites proceed to stay undocumented.
As of 2025, Haryana has 66 state-protected heritage websites and monuments, with the quantity rising. Whereas there isn’t a definitive complete depend for all potential, undiscovered, or undocumented heritage websites, the state archaeology division has recognized 78 complete websites for potential, enhanced safety. This hole, in keeping with specialists, may result in irreversible loss within the coming years if not addressed by means of instant intervention.
Clusters akin to Farrukhnagar—with its Mughal-era city planning—and Mangarbani, a prehistoric panorama with proof of early human habitation, may qualify for world recognition if correctly documented and conserved, the report said.
